Readings: ケン (Onyomi), (Kunyomi)
Meaning: constitution, law, decree
The kanji 憲 (ken) is a complex character composed of several elements that contribute to its meaning of “constitution” or “law.” It combines 宀 (roof, representing a house or office), 害 (meaning harm, limit, or rule, but in this context, it contributes to the sound and concept of laying down boundaries or principles), and 心 (heart, mind, indicating internal commitment or careful consideration). The overall structure suggests a set of rules or principles established and followed with careful deliberation, forming the foundation of a system or state.
View JLPT N1 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 憲 has 16 strokes. The stroke order begins with the “roof” radical (宀) at the top, followed by the components within and below it. It generally follows the top-to-bottom and left-to-right principle. Pay close attention to the order of the inner elements, especially the 害 (which has a modified form here) and the 心 (heart) at the bottom, to ensure correct writing and balance.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 憲 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 16 |
| JLPT Level | N1 |
| Grade | 8 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ケン (KEN)
Common Words Using 憲
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 憲法 | けんぽう | constitution |
| 立憲 | りっけん | constitutionalism |
| 違憲 | いけん | unconstitutional |
| 護憲 | ごけん | protection of the constitution |
| 改憲 | かいけん | constitutional revision |
| 憲章 | けんしょう | charter |
| 憲兵 | けんぺい | military police |
| 国憲 | こっけん | national constitution |
| 憲政 | けんせい | constitutional government |
| 憲政党 | けんせいとう | Constitutional Party (historical) |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 日本の憲法は平和主義を掲げています。
Kana: にほんのけんぽうはへいわしゅぎをかかげています。
Romaji: Nihon no kenpou wa heiwa shugi o kakagete imasu.
English: Japan’s constitution upholds pacifism.
Japanese: 立憲主義は民主主義の基盤です。
Kana: りっけんしゅぎはみんしゅしゅぎのきばんです。
Romaji: Rikken shugi wa minshu shugi no kiban desu.
English: Constitutionalism is the foundation of democracy.
Japanese: その法律は違憲であると判断されました。
Kana: そのほうりつはいけんであるとはんだんされました。
Romaji: Sono houritsu wa iken de aru to handan saremashita.
English: That law was judged to be unconstitutional.
Japanese: 彼は護憲派の政治家として知られています。
Kana: かれはごけんはのせいじかとしてしられています。
Romaji: Kare wa goken-ha no seijika to shite shirarete imasu.
English: He is known as a politician who advocates for the protection of the constitution.
Japanese: 改憲論議が活発に行われています。
Kana: かいけんろんぎがかっぱつにおこなわれています。
Romaji: Kaiken rongi ga kappatsu ni okonawarete imasu.
English: Debates on constitutional revision are actively taking place.
Japanese: 国連憲章は国際平和の維持を目的としています。
Kana: こくれんけんしょうはこくさいへいわのいじをもくてきとしています。
Romaji: Kokuren kenshou wa kokusai heiwa no iji o mokuteki to shite imasu.
English: The UN Charter aims to maintain international peace.
Japanese: 憲兵は治安維持のためにパトロールを行った。
Kana: けんぺいはちあんいじのためにパトロールをおこなった。
Romaji: Kenpei wa chian iji no tame ni patorooru o okonatta.
English: The military police patrolled to maintain public order.
Japanese: わが国の国憲には、国民の権利が明記されている。
Kana: わがこくのこっけんには、こくみんのけんりがめいきされている。
Romaji: Waga kuni no kokken ni wa, kokumin no kenri ga meiki sarete iru.
English: The national constitution of our country clearly states the rights of the citizens.
Japanese: 日本は明治時代に憲政が始まりました。
Kana: にほんはめいじじだいにけんせいがはじまりました。
Romaji: Nihon wa Meiji jidai ni kensei ga hajimarimashita.
English: Constitutional government began in Japan during the Meiji era.
Japanese: 彼は明治時代の憲政党の党員だった。
Kana: かれはめいじじだいのけんせいとうのとういんだった。
Romaji: Kare wa Meiji jidai no Kenseitou no touin datta.
English: He was a member of the Constitutional Party during the Meiji era.
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